UC-NRLF 


B   F 

161 

G56 

1908 

MAIN 


QODL.OYER 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OF 


THE 

SCIENCE  OF  MINDS 

FUNDAMENTALLY  TREATED 

BY 

HUGH  BLISS  GODLOVER 
MASTER  OF  SCIENCE 


Copyright, 

1908, 
By  HUGH  BLISS  GODLOVER. 


Preface. 

The  content  presented  in  this  book  is  the  result 
of  pioneer-work  and  is  thus  far  preliminary.  Pre- 
liminary steps  are  therein  taken  to  lay  the  foun- 
dation of  a  new  science,  the  building-materials  for 
which,  though  since  long  times  provided,  were 
not  used  for  the  formation  of  a  systematic  and 
logically  consistent  work. 

The  same  task  undertaken  by  the  various  philo- 
sophical schools  with,  alas,  often  the  most  deplor- 
able results,  is  here  carried  on  in  a  way  which 
promises  the  hope  for  a  successful  result.  The 
old  problems  as  to  the  nature  of  the  universal 
and  the  individual,  the  old  enigmas  of  mind  and 
matter  constitute  the  task,  the  solution  of  which 
is  offered  in  this  work. 

As  a  pioneer  work  it  was  only  achieved  with 
difficulties  and,  indeed,  after  the  overcoming  of 
great  many  hardships.  As  in  a  preliminary  work 
the  subject-matter  is  yet  fundamentally  treated, 
but  with  the  aim  and  hope  to  continue  the  enter- 
prise, till  the  building — the  new  Science  of  Minds 
—in  its  details  is  erected  to  the  benefit  of  man- 
kind, and  to  the  glory  of  God. 

H.  B.  GODLOVER. 

165304 


ig^LIFO; 

Table  of  Contents. 

Page 
The   Scope,   Definition  and   Methods  of  the 

Science  of  Minds 7 

Definition  and  Classification  of  Minds 8 

Activity  and  Individuality  of  Minds 9 

I.  The    Infinite    Minds 10 

1.  God  , 10 

2.  Satan    10 

II.  The  Finite  Minds    11 

A.  The  Embodied  State  of  Finite  Minds  13 
Embodied  Finite  Minds 21 

1.  Stars   , 21 

2.  Chemical  and  Physical  Corpuscles  23 

3.  Minerals  26 

4.  'Plants  29 

5.  Animals 32 

6.  Mankind  36 

B.  The  Unembodied  State  of  Finite  Minds  42 


The  Scope,  Definition  and  Methods  of  the 
Science  of  Minds. 

The  Science  of  Minds  comprises  all  minds. 
Since  minds  and  their  actions  constitute  every 
reality,  this  science  deals  with  the  subject-matter 
of  every  special  science.  But  its  relations  to  them 
are  of  a  different  kind.  Whereas  it  furnishes  to 
all  of  them  explanatory  and  fundamental  prin- 
ciples, its  further  bearing  upon  some  is  quite 
slight,  while  others  as  e.  g.  Psychology  it  substi- 
tutes in  considerable  parts,  and  Metaphysics  it 
even  absorbs  entirely. 

The  Science  of  Minds  has  thus  a  universal 
scope,  and  may  be  defined  as  the  science  of 
sciences  or,  more  detailed,  as  that  systematized 
knowledge  which  has  all  realities  for  its  objects. 

The  methods  employed  by  the  Science  of 
Minds  are  both  deductive  and  inductive.  To  ver- 
ify the  hypotheses  of  deductive  reasoning  which 
properly  arise  as  inspirations,  inductive  means  are 
used,  including  especially  the  psychological  pro- 
cedure of  introspection,  and  when  actual  instances 
are  not  sufficiently  available,  the  argument  of 
analogy. 


8  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

Definition  and  Classification  of  Minds. 

Minds  or  spirits  are  individual  beings. 

Being  implies  the  criterion  of  activity;  individ- 
uality that  of  freedom.  Furthermore,  every  activ- 
ity is  somehow  signified,  which  fact  establishes 
the  properties  and  character  of  minds.  Preemin- 
ently general  characteristics  of  minds  are  infinity 
and  finiteness,  goodness  and  evil.  Accordingly 
the  following  categories  of  minds  can  be  distin- 
guished :  Infinite,  finite,  good,  and  evil  minds.  As 
finite  minds  vary  by  different  degrees  in  their 
properties,  the  distinction  can  be  drawn  between 
souls  and  finite  spirits  properly  so  called ;  more- 
over, as  they  may  exist  in  an  embodied  or  disem- 
bodied state,  finite  minds  can  in  this  respect  be 
classified  in  embodied  and  pure. 


Activity  and  Individuality  of  Minds. 

All  minds  are  beings  and  exhibit  therefore  an 
activity.  The  actions  of  minds  are  those  of  their 
thinking,  feeling,  and  willing  faculties.  Thinking 
is  the  cognizing,  differentiating,  and  conjoining  of 


ACTIVITY    AND     INDIVIDUALITY    OF     MINDS  9 

objects  by  concepts.  Feeling  involves  the  emo- 
tional activities,  such  as  love  and  hatred.  Will 
is  mere  power.  The  realization  of  the  potentiali- 
ties of  either  faculty  in  an  action.  But  every 
action  of  one  faculty  is  at  once  more  or  less 
blended  with  those  of  the  others. 

Individuality  is  likewise  an  attribute  possessed 
by  all  minds.  Individuality  means  independence 
or  freedom. 


10  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

I.     THE  INFINITE  MINDS. 

Next  to  the  universal  attributes  of  activity  and 
individuality,  those  of  degree  and  morality  rank 
as  the  uppermost  categories.  Hence  there  are  but 
two  original,  respectively  infinite  minds. 

The  infinite,  good  mind  is  God.  The  infinite, 
evil  mind  is  Satan. 

1.     GOD. 

The  infinitude  of  God  is  His  perfection.  God 
is  neither  restricted  to  particular  space,  nor  to 
time-limitations.  He  is  therefore  eternal,  omni- 
present, and  omniscient,  thinking  infinitely 
many  thoughts  at  once  and  cognizing  minutest 
distinctions.  He  also  possesses  a  universal  power. 
The  goodness  of  God  implies  creating,  respecting 
and  supporting  minds. 

2.     SATAN. 

Satan  as  an  infinite  mind  is  also  eternal,  omni- 
present, universally  mighty,  and  omniscient.  His 
evilness  is  realized  by  depraving,  despising  and 
hindering  minds. 


THE  FINITE  MINDS  11 

II.     THE  FINITE  MINDS. 

Finite  minds  are  created  by  God.  They  are 
finite  as  to  their  activities,  although  their  origina- 
tor is  an  infinite  mind.  They  became  finite  in 
consequence  of  the  counteraction  of  the  infinite, 
evil  mind,  Satan.  The  latter  is  met  by  the  crea- 
tures at  the  very  act  of  their  liberation  as  an  ob- 
stacle, which  hinders  their  existence.  Satan's 
physical  antagonism  manifests  itself  merely  in  a 
negative  sense,  since  an  infinite  being  is  motion- 
less. For  the  same  reason  God's  further  activity 
for  His  creatures  after  their  coming  into  life  con- 
sists in  favoring  their  existence  by  only  inspiring 
acts.  The  obstructing  activity  of  Satan  restricts 
the  life-functions  of  the  original  creatures  to  an 
infinitesimal  amount,  but  can  never  result  in  an- 
nihilation. Annihilation  is  impossible,  for  it  con- 
tradicts the  fundamental,  cosmic  principle  of  the 
conservation  of  life. 

But  creatures  reacting  on  the  invigorating  in- 
spirations of  God  realize  their  infinite  potentiali- 
ties, though,  on  account  of  their  freedom,  differ- 
ently with  respect  to  the  singular  faculties, 
and  the  latter  themselves  in  the  most  divergent 
degrees.  Whereas  e.  g.  men  have  left  the  infini- 


12  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

tesimal  state  of  their  ancestors,  and  differ  from 
them  by  having  highly  developed  the  cognitive 
faculty,  and  somewhat  that  of  power,  other  finite 
minds  have  during  the  course  of  past  ages  mainly 
evolved  the  latter,  and  acquired  such  huge  power 
as  the  stars. 

As  God's  inspirations  are  characterized  by 
goodness,  the  according  reactions  of  creatures  can 
only  be  actions  of  love,  what,  very  probably,  they 
most  frequently  will  be,  since  creatures  are  orig- 
inally also  of  good  character.  God  leads  His 
creatures  to  co-operation  in  which  by  evolution 
the  realization  of  their  faculties  proceeds.  The 
co-operation  of  a  finite  mind  as  principal  for  the 
moral  purpose  of  self-realization  is  his  embodi- 
ment. The  co-operators  themselves  constitute  the 
body. 


THE   EMBODIED   STATE   OF   FINITE   MINDS  13 

A.    The  Embodied  State  of  Finite  Minds. 

Finite  minds  are  restricted  to  limits  in  exercis- 
ing their  faculty  of  power.  Were  finite  minds 
unobstructed  the  sphere  of  their  dynamic  activity 
would  of  course  infinitely  expand.  To  some  de- 
gree an  expansion  in  fact  takes  place,  especially  in 
consequence  of  some  inspirations  of  God.  But 
the  latter  are  very  different  and  frequently  also 
towards  the  opposite  direction.  God  acts  accord- 
ing to  system  and  design  which  comprises  all 
finite  minds  of  the  universe.  As  the  responsing 
actions  of  creatures  differ  greatly,  God  takes 
regard  of  this  fact  by  harmonizing  His  inspira- 
tions, imparted  to  one  of  His  creatures  with  those 
for  others,  that  is  for  the  whole  rest.  Thus  His 
inspiring  impulses  vary,  and  are  accordingly  in 
an  expanding  or  contracting  direction. 

Beside  the  ordering  inspirations  of  God,  there 
are  yet  other  factors  determining  the  expanding 
and  contracting  activity  of  finite  minds,  namely, 
the  disturbing  inducements  of  Satan,  further  the 
stimuli  received  from  other  finitei  minds,  and 
lastly  of  course  their  spontaneous  motives.  Finite 
minds  as  free  beings  act  spontaneously,  and  thus 
not  only  determine  their  own  behavior,  but  exert 


14  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

also  influence  on  that  of  fellow  finite  minds  who 
reciprocally  do  this  with  regard  to  the  former. 

All  these  factors  combine  to  produce  the  great- 
est variety  in  the  resulting  actions.  The  interval 
between  one  action  and  the  following  constitutes 
the  concept  of  time;  the  degree  to  which  the 
expanding  and  contracting  actions  occur,  that  of 
space.  Both  of  these  concepts  are  implied  in  the 
concept  of  motion,  that  is  a  more  or  less  long 
series  of  actions,  by  which  a  change  of  position 
of  the  agent  to  that  of  other  finite  minds  is 
effected.  As  those  elementary  actions,  so,  con- 
sequently, the  compound  motions  themselves  are 
of  very  different  kind.  They  are  produced  accord- 
ing to  the  individuality  of  the  performer,  his  spon- 
taneous agility  and  vigor,  and  the  vivacity  with 
which  he  responds  to  foreign  impulses.  Thus 
while  some  motions  are  so  faint,  as  hardly  to  be 
perceptible,  others  take  place  with  the  most  ex- 
ceeding force.  Motions  vary  from  the  simplest 
and  uniform  changes  of  position  to  the  most  artful 
and  rhythmical  vibrations.  During  the  course  of 
evolution  some  kind  of  motion  became  character- 
istic for  the  agent,  and  since  all  faculties  are  inti- 
mately connected,  at  once  characterizing  his 
entire  individuality. 


THE   EMBODIED   STATE   OF   FINITE   MINDS  15 

The  dynamic  activities  of  finite  minds  are  thus 
of  the  greatest  importance,  and  especially  stand 
in  close  correlation  with  the  process  of  formation 
of  their  bodies.  The  same  factors  influencing  the 
former  are,  therefore,  also  involved  in  the  latter 
occurrence. 


Firstly  it  is  God  who  according  to  His  wise 
design  builds  up  the  bodies  of  finite  minds.  God 
as  designer  and  builder  of  embodied  finite  minds 
is  their  continuous  creator.  God  accomplishes 
this  work  by  assembling  finite  minds  through 
inspiration,  according  to  the  affinity  of  their  char- 
acters. Minds  possessing  some  characteristic, 
respectively  the  special  ability  to  perform  certain 
motions,  are  allied  to  minds  who  are  not  only 
wanting  of  this  aptness,  but  possess  one  of  oppo- 
site kind  and,  therefore,  corresponding  to  that  of 
the  former.  Hence  the  expanding  actions  of  the 
one  will  fit  to  the  contracting  actions  of  the  other, 
and  by  this  the  minds  become  tied  and  knit 
together.  By  such  a  unification  of  a  vast  number 
of  minds  a  body-system  is  built  up. 


16  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

Since  the  embodiment  lasts  for  some  time,  the 
constituent  minds  become  not  only  accustomed 
to  those  peculiarities  of  their  neighbors  to  which 
they  are  already  adapted,  but  as  during  that  time 
changes  in  properties  take  possibly  place,  they 
reciprocally  habituate  themselves  also  to  these 
new  aptitudes.  When  then  after  dissolution  of 
the  body  its  constituents  are  freed,  they  will 
exactly  fit  for  a  similar  co-operation  and,  having 
become  familiar  with  a  certain  species  of  minds, 
they  will  directly  seek  the  co-operators  with 
whom  they  suit. 

Habits  thus  play  in  this  process  a  highly  im- 
portant role,  especially  as  regards  those  finite 
minds,  which  are  yet  at  lower  stages  of  evolution, 
where  the  cognitive  faculty  is  quite  rudimentary. 
These  individuals,  therefore,  almost  entirely  lack 
spontaneous  decisions,  but  rather  passively  follow 
external  impulses.  Now,  habits  are  acquired  by 
the  individual  within  time;  furthermore  are  trans- 
mitted according  to  the  principK:  of  heredity  to 
the  offspring;  the  latter,  again,  with  more  or 
less  slight  variations,  entails  them  on  his  own 
descendants,  and  so  on,  till  after  long  ages  those 
habits  become  established  laws.  Thus  natural 
laws  comprise  a  series  of  facts,  from  which  they 


THE     EMBODIED     STATE    OF     FINITE     MINDS  17 

evolved.  Natural  laws  cannot,  therefore,  in  their 
efficiency  suddenly  be  suspended,  because  the 
producing  facts  cannot  be  simply  revoked.  But  a 
derogation  of  natural  laws  would  require  a  time- 
period  proportionate  to  that  during  which  they 
arose,  and  an  adequate  reverse  bearing  of  all 
those  factors  who  have  been  involved  in  their 
establishment.  Slight  sudden  changes  certainly 
occur  in  the  physical  world,  and  minute  ones 
probably  every  moment,  since  even  the  agents 
constituting  nature  are  principally  free  beings. 
In  so  far  can,  therefore,  only  in  a  relative  sense 
of  a  uniformity  of  nature  be  spoken.  But  such 
gross  mutations  as  e.  g.,  a  reembodiment  of 
human  minds,  with  overleaping  all  phylogenetic 
and  ontogenetic  facts,  are  absolutely  inconceiv- 
able. Therefore  unless  habits  are  not  yet  ac- 
quired by  the  individual,  respectively  natural  laws 
have  not  yet  become  efficient,  God  cannot  essen- 
tially and  instantly  change  the  behaviour  of  those 
unconscious,  finite  minds,  properly  involved  in 
executing  a  natural  law.  Moreover,  God  acts 
according  to  system  which  comprises  in  its  range 
the  infinite  universe,  and  cannot,  therefore,  arbi- 
trarily attend  to  a  particular  fad,  but  has  to 
reconcile  all  facts  in  their  immense  multitude. 


18  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

Therefore,  great  as  the  influence  of  God  is  with 
regard  to  intelligent,  receptive  minds,  and  with 
regard  to  those  of  inferior  minds  whicii  do  not  yet 
act  by  habits,  limited  is  His  modifying  control 
over  the  finite  minds  that  properly  produce  the 
physical  phenomena.  The  limits  of  the  physical 
world  are  at  once  those  of  Divine  miracles. 

The  second  factor  taking  influence  on  the 
structure  of  the  body  is  Satan.  Of  course  his 
activity  in  this  respect  is  only  disturbing,  and  by 
malicious  inspiration  of  creatures  to  destruction 
he  causes  corruption  and  degeneration,  in  the 
removal  of  which  finite  minds  are  preeminently 
aided  by  God. 

The  third  factor  engaged  in  the  molding  of  the 
body  is  the  embodied  finite  mind  himself.  Among 
the  assemblage  of  minds  representing  the  body 
gradually  arises  one  who,  because  of  his  superior 
qualities,  gains  an  overwhelming  influence  over 
the  rest,  and  becomes  the  governing  and  prevail- 
ing agent  at  the  formation-process  of  the  body. 
The  individual  thus  presiding  over  the  inferior 
body-constituents  is  by  their  aid  put  in  the  condi- 
tion to  perform  actions  that  alone  he  were  too 


•ilTY   | 


THE   EMBODIED   STATE  OF   FINITE   MINDS  19 

weak  to  accomplish.  Moreover,  while  exerting 
his  influence  he  attains  the  development  of  his 
faculties.  As  the  exercise  of  the  faculties  involves 
the  use  of  the  body,  the  body  develops  accord- 
ingly, as  the  development  of  the  directing  indi- 
vidual proceeds.  Hence  at  higher  stages  of 
evolution,  where  the  body  already  possesses 
organization,  by  a  special  use  of  the  body,  special 
organs  develop.  The  principal  mind  thus  im- 
presses his  individuality  upon  the  body,  while 
the  latter,  on  the  other  side,  symbolizes  in  its 
properties  more  or  less  the  character  of  the 
former. 

The  last  factor  decisive  for  the  constitution  of 
the  body  is  its  environment.  The  individual  lives 
not  isolated,  but  stays  in  a  universe  of  minds  by 
which  he  is  persistently  more  or  less  affected.  He 
is  part  of  the  vast  unified  whole.  Influences  of 
the  environment  coerce  the  individual  to  take 
regard  of  it  by  proper  adapting  his  attitude. 
While  some  of  the  impulses  received  from  the 
surroundings  are  favorable  to  his  development, 
others  on  the  contrary  blight  his  activities. 
Thence  the  individual  is  impelled  to  realize  his 
faculties,  to  exercise  his  organs,  and  to  acquire 


20  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

adequate  qualities.  That  who  is  most  fitted  will 
of  course  survive.  In  this  struggle  creatures  are 
also  supported,  above  all,  by  God,  and  as  God 
patronizes  necessarily  only  good  actions,  the  best 
will  gain  the  victory. 

All  these  factors  contribute  to  produce  the 
most  abundant  variety  of  bodies,  as  we  meet 
them  on  the  heaven  as  stars,  and  on  earth  as  men, 
animals,  plants,  minerals,  till  down  to  those 
corpuscles  with  which  physics  and  chemistry 
deals. 


STARS  21 

Embodied  Finite  Minds. 
1.     STARS. 

A  most  peculiar  mode  of  embodiment  of  finite 
minds  is  that  of  stars.  Out  of  the  vast  chaotic 
mass  of  His  unconscious  creatures  God  brings 
into  being  those  gigantic  bodies,  on  which  after 
enormous  ages  of  continuous  metamorphosis  and 
development  His  rational  children  are  born.  The 
formation  of  a  nuclear  portion  in  a  confused  neb- 
ular mass  marks  the  beginning  of  a  star-body. 
Under  the  designing  direction  of  God  some  of 
those  unconscious,  finite  minds,  superior  in  activ- 
ity to  its  fellow-minds',  gathers  around  it  a  multi- 
tude of  the  latter  to  live  with  them  in  community. 
At  first  it  is  a  whirl  of  fiery  vapor  from  which  the 
future  sidereal  body  evolves,  but  gradually  this 
gyrating  vapor  comes  to  some  order,  performs 
its  movements  with  more  constancy,  and  having 
monstrously  increased  in  size,  commences  by  a 
continuous  contracting  of  its  mass  to  solidify. 
Thus  the  fierce,  incandescent  vapor  passes  into  a 
glowing,  molten  mass  which  slowly  on  its  surface 
cools  and  hardens.  But  as  this  process  is  not 
uniform,  the  crust  which  has  been  formed  cracks 


22  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

in  many  regions,  and  the  crevices  and  elevations 
become  grounds  of  valleys  and  mountains.  Sur- 
rounded above  by  an  atmosphere,  inclosing  within 
the  various  rocks  and  minerals,  consisting  on  its 
surface  of  soil  and  water,  the  star-body  furnishes 
the  conditions  for  further  differentiation  and 
development. 

Such  is  in  brief  outline  the  evolution-process  of 
stars  analogously  to  that  through  which  our 
earth  has  passed.  The  latter  itself  is  part  of  the 
solar  system,  therefore  the  sun  is  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  life  on  earth,  but  himself  the 
independent  center  of  the  system. 

Infinite  is  the  number  of  stellar  systems  in  the 
infinite  space.  Incalculably  many  suns  with  enor- 
mous speed  periodically  circumscribe  their  vast 
orbits,  carrying  with  them  planets  and  moons 
which  they  with  huge  power  attract.  All  these 
celestial  bodies  have  a  limited  embodied  life,  pass- 
ing from  infancy  and  full  grown  age  to  senility 
and  decay,  though  their  lifetime  comprises  enor- 
mous ages.  Of  course,  with  their  fate  is  bound 
that  of  their  inhabitants ;  and  would  they  sud- 
denly die,  certainly  would  then  also  the  latter 
perish.  But  sudden  world-catastrophes  cannot 
take  place,  for  starminds  are  unconscious  minds 


CHEMICAL     AND     PHYSICAL     CORPUSCLES  23 

and,  therefore,  subject  to  natural  laws  in  which 
sudden  breakages,  without  gradual  transitions, 
never  occur.  Therefore  stars  in  their  old  age, 
slowly  fade  away,  and  when  they  die,  they  are 
desert  and  barren. 


2.     CHEMICAL  AND  PHYSICAL 
CORPUSCLES. 

The  constituents  of  which  the  substance  of  the 
earth,  its  atmosphere  and  matter  in  general  con- 
sist, are  in  the  last  resort  all  alike;  they  are  all 
finite  spirits.  Inductively  this  is  proved  by  the 
periodic  law  of  chemistry.  This  law  states  that 
the  chemical  elements  are  all  related  to  each 
other,  it  classifies  them  into  families,  and  bases 
this  proposition  upon  the  fact  that  their  proper- 
ties are  functions  of  their  atomic  weights.  If  then 
all  ultimate  constituents  of  matter  are  character- 
ized by  the  same  principle,  it  follows  that  they 
essentially  equal. 

But  what  is  the  meaning  of  that  principle? 
What  does  the  concept  of  weight  imply?  The 
weight  of  a  body  is  a  result  of  the  gravitational 


24  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

force.  As  every  force  also  the  latter  exhibits, 
at  least,  two  aspects,  namely,  the  activities  of  two 
factors  which  in  this  case  are  the  earth  and  the 
body.  Since  the  ultimate  particles  of  matter 
have  weight,  they  thereby  prove  themselves  as 
active.  They  are  agents  or  beings,  for  to  be  is 
to  act.  Moreover,  as  ultimate  particles  they  are 
individual,  and  as  restricted  in  their  activity  to  a 
limited  space  they  are  finite.  The  ultimate  par- 
ticles of  matter  or  atoms  are  therefore  finite, 
individual  beings  or  finite  minds. 

The  atoms  are  unconscious,  finite  minds.  They 
are  in  a  dreamlike  state,  and  their  faculties,  except 
that  of  power,  are  in  a  most  rudimentary  condi- 
tion. Perceptibly  they  manifest  themselves, 
therefore,  merely  as  forces.  All  forces  are 
reducible  to  actions  of  either  contracting  i.  e., 
centripetal,  or  expanding  i.  e.,  centrifugal  direc- 
tion. If  exerted  in  the  same  direction  these  ele- 
mentary activities  result  in  a  repulsion  of  the 
agents,  if  in  different  direction  in  an  attraction, 
and  are  immersed  in  the  concept  of  motion,  if 
considered  in  their  time  and  space  aspects.  Thus 
every  motion,  because  involving  an  activity  of 
the  power  faculty,  is  an  expenditure  of  potential 
energy  which  at  the  performance  of  the  motion 


CHEMICAL     AND     PHYSICAL     CORPUSCLES  25 

in  kinetic  energy  is  converted.  The  velocity  with 
which  motions  proceed  and  their  diverse  char- 
acter in  wave-motions  determine  the  sensations 
which  they  produce  in  the  perceiver.  Relatively 
quick  motions  are  perceived  as  heat,  those  of  less 
velocity  as  cold ;  motions  of  very  rapid  velocity 
produce  the  sensation  of  light,  the  color  of  which 
depends  on  the  wave-length  of  this  motion.  Vi- 
brations proceeding  especially  in  air  as  medium 
arouse  sound-sensations,  whereas  the  producing 
of  electric  oscillations,  and  the  intensity  of  the 
magnetic  state  is  foremostly  connected  with  the 
nature  of  the  medium. 

The  latter,  that  is  matter,  indeed  displays  the 
greatest  variety.  The  internal  structure  of  matter 
is  determined  by  the  complexity  of  arrangement 
of  its  constituents.  The  simplest  modes  of  struc- 
ture belong  to  the  so-called  ethereal  state  of  mat- 
ter. Ether-matter,  because  of  its  subtlety  and 
tenuity,  is  naturally  imperceptible  by  human 
sense-organs.  To  a  limited  degree  perceptible  are 
gases,  whereas  quite  perceptible,  even  for  the 
lower  senses,  is  matter  in  its  liquid  and  solid  state 
of  aggregation. 

Solids,  liquids  and  gases  are  built  up  of  mole- 
cules; and  the  latter  themselves  of  compounds 


26  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

which  only  by  extraordinary  means  are  dissol- 
uble. The  ultimate  constituents  of  matter,  viz., 
its  real  atoms,  those  unconscious  finite  minds  are, 
because  of  their  most  minute  magnitude,  of 
course  inaccessible  for  sense-experience. 

Molecules  are  held  together  by  molecular 
forces,  while  the  more  refined  compounds  are 
linked  by  chemical  and  ethereal  forces.  Forces, 
respectively  the  modes  of  motion  in  which  they 
exhibit  themselves,  are  convertible  into  each  other 
without  perceptible  loss.  The  conservation  of 
energy  which  is  thus  greatly  maintained,  is  ex- 
plainable by  the  fact  that  the  agents  which  ulti- 
mately constitute  matter  act  mechanically  i.  e.,  by 
habits,  for  they  are  unconscious,  finite  minds. 


3.     MINERALS. 

The  lowest  stage  in  the  evolutional  scale,  as 
far  as  obvious  to  the  unaided  human  senses,  is 
maintained  by  minerals.  This  class  of  matter 
includes  not  only  the  earth's  substance,  but  also 
its  atmosphere  that  represents  minerals  in  a 
gaseous  state  of  aggregation.  In  their  solid  state 


MINERALS  27 

minerals  differ  from  other  material  substances  by 
their,  usually,  excessive  hardness.  Moreover,  all 
minerals  are  morphologically  characterized  by 
the  property  of  crystalizing.  Crystals  are  bodies 
of  symmetrical  shape,  and  especially  distin- 
guished by  having  a  body  composed  of  planes 
that  meet  in  straight  lines  and  subtend  angles. 
The  formation  of  crystals  proceeds  from  a  minute 
particle  of  the  mineral  substance  as  a  center, 
the  nucleus,  around  which  other  minute  constit- 
uents of  the  same  mineral  accrue,  effecting  thus 
an  external  growth  of  it.  Minerals  are,  therefore, 
of  homogeneous  substance,  which  itself  presents 
some  chemical  compound.  As  chemical  com- 
pounds are  built  up  of  elements,  and  the  latter 
themselves  are  ultimately  reducible  to  uncon- 
scious, finite  minds,  the  nucleus,  consequently, 
contains  the  principal,  finite  spirit  that  in  the 
process  of  crystalization  attains  embodiment. 

This  form  of  embodied  life  is  primitive  enough. 
Neither  does  there  any  visible,  external  motion 
take  place,  nor  internally  a  change  of  substance 
occur.  Minerals  live  a  still  and  rigid  life.  Since, 
then,  owing  to  the  absence  of  vigorous  activities 
the  mineral,  especially  the  nucleus,  remains  in 
the  same  composition  after  the  dissolution  of  the 


28  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

crystal,  as  at  entering  the  crystalization,  the 
nucleus,  respectively  the  finite  spirit  inclosed  in 
it,  may,  without  an  overleap  of  philogenetic  and 
ontogenetic  antecedents,  so  far  embody  again 
and  again  till,  having  overcome  this  lethargic 
state,  it  reaches  a  stage,  where  in  activity  and 
progress  it  may  display  its  slumbering  poten- 
tialities. 

Crystals  are  not  only  in  their  substance  homo- 
geneous, but  also  of  uniform  external  structure, 
lacking  whatever  special  organs.  For  the  latter 
reason  minerals  are  separated  as  anorgana  from 
other  bodies  that  possess  structural  differentia- 
tion. But  that  an  absolute  distinction  between 
inorganic  and  organic  bodies  does  not  exist,  is 
evident  from  the  facts  that  science  succeeded  in 
synthetizing  simpler  forms  of  organic  matter 
from  inorganic,  further  that  the  former  contains 
no  element  which  is  not  found  in  the  latter. 


PLANTS  29 

4.     PLANTS. 

Plants  are  organisms  or  embodied,  more  or 
less  developed,  unconscious  finite  minds.  Their 
bodies  consist  of  organized  matter.  The  passing 
from  inorganic  to  organic  matter  and  to  organ- 
isms does  not  without  gradual  transition  take 
place,  and  though  spontaneous  generation,  that 
is  the  production  of  organisms  from  crude  inor- 
ganic or  even  organic  matter  has  not  been  exper- 
imentally accomplished,  nevertheless  nature  fur- 
nishes abundant  organisms  that  do  not  much 
differ  from  mere  matter.  Such  organisms  con- 
sisting of  a  single  cell  vindicate  their  position 
on  the  stage  of  biological  development  by  exhibit- 
ing the  fundamental  and  characteristic  biological 
functions,  namely,  metabolism  and  reproduction, 
but  of  special  organs  for  performing  these  phe- 
nomena they  are  entirely  wanting. 

Higher  developed  life  thus  proceeds  from 
single  cell-organisms  that  in  botany  by  the 
protophytes  are  represented,  and  correspond  to 
the  simple  germ  cells  from  which  multicellular 
plants  develop.  As  single  cells  both  proiophytes 
and  germs  possess  as  essential  part  the  nucleus. 
Here  as  in  unorganic  crystals  the  seat  of  the 


30  THE   SCIENCE   OF   MINDS 

directing  spirit  is  located.  But  whereas  anorgana 
are  growing  from  without  by  apposition  of  homo- 
generous  particles  upon  the  nucleus,  organisms 
are  characterized  by  an  interior  growth.  As 
regards  the  latter  itself  the  nucleus  is  of  the 
greatest  importance.  Consisting  chemically  of 
protoplasm,  the  proper  living  matter  of  the  cell, 
the  nucleus  possesses  the  property  of  converting 
the  crude,  inorganic  particles  which  were 
absorbed  in  the  cell,  into  organic  substance,  the 
bulk  of  the  building-material  of  the  plant-body. 
From  this  it  is  obvious  that  especially  the  direct- 
ing agent  operating  in  protophytes  or  one  of 
the  germ-cells,  exerts  in  plants  a  more  thorough- 
going influence  upon  the  body  than  in  crystals. 
This  fact  is  at  once  an  explanation  for  the  higher 
development  of  plants,  and  the  deeper  differences 
between  botanical  specimens.  Plant-spirits  pos- 
sessing more  vigor  and  irritability,  respond  more 
readily  upon  the  stimuli  received  from  without, 
and  not  only  are  able  to  express  their  individual- 
ity in  the  responsing  actions,  but  also  in  some 
degree  spontaneously  to  effect  mutation  of  their 
bodies.  In  consequence  of  these  facts  they, 
especially,  adapt  the  latter  to  the  environment 
according  to  the  functions  required.  As  the 


PLANTS  31 

needs  and  necessities  to  be  satisfied  by  them  vary 
with  different  food-supply  and  external  circum- 
stances, it  follows  that  also  their  bodies  will 
display  abundant  variance.  And  here  lies  a 
remarkable  distinction  between  plants  and  min- 
erals. Whereas  samples  of  mineral  substances 
from  all  parts  of  the  globe,  because  of  the  rigid- 
ity and  inertness  of  the  determinative  constituent- 
factors,  morphologically  almost  entirely  equal 
each  other,  plants  grown  in  different  zones  vary 
widely  in  shape.  But  also  structurally  plants 
already  attained  to  most  conspicuous  differentia- 
tion. For  performing  diverse  functions  plants 
possess  special  organs.  This  specialization  is 
remarkably  realized  in  their  reproductive  organs, 
and  flowering  plants  have  even  reached  the  stage 
of  sexual  reproduction.  Also  for  effecting  the 
other  characteristic,  biological  function,  namely, 
metabolism  plants  have  developed  proper  organs. 
Roots  and  leaves  serve  to  this  purpose,  the  former 
being  nutritive  organs,  the  latter  organs  for  tran- 
spiration. 

Plants  absorb  dissolved,  mineral  substances 
from  the  soil,  and  dioxide  gas  from  the  atmos- 
phere. Under  the  influence  of  sunlight  this  gas 
is  decomposed,  and  of  its  carbon-constituents 


32  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

with  other  elementary  ingredients  higher  chem- 
ical compounds  are  formed.  Thus  the  kinetic 
energy  of  the  sun  becomes  converted  into  the 
potential  energy  of  those  preparates,  which  partly 
by  plants  themselves  are  used  for  their  susten- 
ance, partly  by  other  organisms  as  their  food. 
These  considerations  in  connection  with  the  fact 
that  men  and  animals  can  also  as  regards  oxygen- 
supply  avail  themselves  of  the  unconscious  aid  of 
plants,  prove  clearly  the  benevolent,  Ideological 
aspect  of  nature,  namely,  the  wise  providence  of 
God. 


5.     ANIMALS. 

Descending  as  plants  from  the  same  ancestry, 
namely  from  unicellular  organisms,  animals 
however,  have  reached  a  higher  stage  of  develop- 
ment. This  they  achieved  by  virtue  of  their  finer 
susceptibility  towards  external  influences,  and 
their  more  active  vivacity  with  which  they  re- 
sponded to  such  impulses.  Therefore,  though 
even  plants  display  an  abundance  of  varieties  in 
form  and  structure,  the  variability  exhibited  in 
the  fauna  surpasses  by  far  that  of  the  flora. 


ANIMALS  33 

Directly  are  variations  due  to  the  amount  of 
functions  performed  by  the  individual,  and  to  the 
degree  of  activity.  Corresponding  to  activity 
and  functions  the  development  of  organs  takes 
place.  That  the  activity  expended  by  animals  is 
quantitatively  so  considerable,  is  to  explain  by 
their  mode  of  nutrition,  and  the  way  of  employ- 
ment of  the  nutriments.  Animals  feed  by  sub- 
stances in  which  great  amounts  of  potential 
energy  are  accumulated,  that  they  mostly  expend 
for  performing  external  work.  The  latter,  re- 
spectively the  functions  of  the  body,  comprise  a 
relatively  wide  range.  But  as  the  functions 
increase  the  body  becomes  more  heterogeneous, 
and  by  adapting  itself  to  the  respective  require- 
ments special  organs  are  formed.  Thus  animals 
gradually  acquire  diverse  muscles  for  executing 
of  work,  and  lastly  a  nerve-system  which  in  addi- 
tion to  their  locomotion  and  peculiar  mode  of 
nutrition  characteristically  distinguishes  them 
from  plants. 

Nerve-organs  are  of  course  differently  devel- 
oped with  different  animals.  While  in  animal- 
cules special  nerve-organs  are  entirely  absent, 
and  the  single  cell  that  constitutes  the  whole 
body,  performs  also  sensory  functions,  higher 


34  THE   SCIENCE   OF    MINDS 

developed  animals  possess  for  this  purpose  special 
nerve-organs  which  in  the  highest,  zoological 
groups  become  completely  systematized.  As 
with  the  possession  of  nerve-organs  the  sensibil- 
ity of  the  body  is  connected,  that  is,  the  animal's 
capability  of  feeling  pleasures  and  pains,  it  fol- 
lows that,  while  to  animalcules  but  dim  feelings 
can  be  ascribed,  real  pains  and  pleasures  only  as 
regards  animals  with  nerve-system  can  be  spoken 
of.  The  main  part  of  a  nerve-system  is  the  brain 
that  superintends  the  rest  of  the  body,  and,  as  a 
co-ordinating  center  especially  accomplishes  an 
integration  of  the  different  bodily  parts.  And, 
indeed,  such  a  consolidating  organ  becomes  nec- 
essary at  this  stage  of  bodily  development,  where 
the  specialization  of  functions  according  to  the 
economic  principle  of  division  of  labor  is 
brought  to  such  an  efficiency.  As  muscles  are  the 
special  organs  for  executing  volitions,  so  the 
brain  is  the  special  organ,  where  these  psychical 
acts  originate.  Moreover,  not  only  blind  will- 
determinations,  but  also  other  mental  activities 
are  produced  in  the  animal-brain,  though  of 
course  to  a  very  different  extent.  The  brain, 
especially  the  pineal  gland-region  has,  therefore, 
to  be  considered  as  the  location  of  the  embodied 


ANIMALS  35 

animal-spirit  that  presides  over  the  whole  bodily 
system.  Consequently  the  assemblage  of  mind- 
constituents  or  the  body  that  has  lost  the  brain 
will,  if  not  immediately  dissolve  and  die,  persist 
in  an  only  ephemeral  existence,  and,  because  of 
want  of  the  directing  agent,  in  a  very  precarious 
manner  perform  its  functions. 

Its  keener  sensibility  and  more  impulsive  indi- 
viduality renders  the  higher  developed  animal- 
spirit  also  capable  of  activities  pertaining  to  the 

• 

higher,  mental  faculties.  Receiving  in  the  brain 
through  nerve-fibres  changes  produced  by  the 
outer  world  in  the  special  sense-organs,  it 
becomes  aware  of  them  by  apprehending  those 
mere  sense-impressions  as  perceptions.  Holding 
them  permanently  for  recollection,  reinstating 
them  at  the  reception  of  new  ones,  correlating  and 
associating  the  latter  with  the  former,  but  pre- 
eminently by  its  capability  of  producing  spon- 
taneous, mental  actions  it  has  thus  reached  a 
higher,  mental  stage. 

It  is  true  that  animals,  regularly,  do  not  sur- 
pass the  stage  of  indistinct  and  unreliable  in- 
stincts; yet  even  in  this  condition  they  are  not 
only  able — of  course  by  the  aid  of  Divine  inspira- 
tions— to  provide  the  means  for  their  support, 


36  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

to  detect  their  shelter,  to  improve  the  same  with 
often  admirable  skill,  and  to  evade  their  enemies 
with  astonishing  shrewdness,  in  short,  to  perform 
actions  of  self-love,  but  in  following  their  sexual 
instincts  they  prove  in  some  way  also  love  to 
their  mates,  and  many  of  them  give,  moreover, 
evidence  of  tender  feelings  to  their  offspring. 
Thus  animals  have  made  a  considerable  progress 
on  the  road  of  evolution  towards  its  goal,  that  is, 
the  recognition  of  the  creatures'  original  property, 
love. 


6.     MANKIND. 

The  highest  level  of  realization  of  their  cog- 
nitive faculty  finite  minds  have  reached  on  earth 
in  men.  Though  in  the  animal-world  we  also 
meet  highly  developed  and  remarkably  differenti- 
ated individuals,  yet  the  intellectual  qualities  that 
even  the  uppermost  species  of  this  class  of  crea- 
tures, viz.,  anthropoid  apes,  attained,  are  quite  in- 
significant in  comparison  with  those  achieved  by 
mankind.  Bodily  indeed  the  differences  between 
both  are  less  striking.  For  also  some  of  the  apes 


MANKIND  37 

have  an  erect  walk,  they,  too,  use  their  upper  ex- 
tremities as  hands,  and  their  anatomical  charac- 
teristics indicate  at  least  that  both  apes  and  men 
have  descended  from  a  common,  ancestral  stock. 
Especially  corroborated  is  this  assumption  by  the 
resemblance  of  the  human  brain  with  that  of  apes. 
Except  some  inconspicuous  convolutions  on  its 
surface  the  former  differs  structurally  little  from 
the  ape-brain.  But  how  different  are  the  func- 
tions that  this  bodily  mechanism  performs  in 
men  and  in  animals !  While  the  latter  have 
hardly  surpassed  the  perceptual  stage  of  intel- 
lectual development,  and  are  absolutely  unable  of 
articulate  speech,  the  human  mind  has  through 
the  dawning  of  his  perceptual  period  arrived  to 
the  light  of  the  ideal  stage,  thus  to  the  most  ad- 
vanced degree  realizing  the  capacities  of  his  cog- 
nitive faculty. 

Ideas  and  perceptions  are  different.  Both  of 
these  psychical  facts,  if  true,  must  be  based  on 
ideas  of  quite  different  character  that,  as  pre'-em- 
tions  are,  more  or  less,  mediately  derived  from 
sensual  experience,  yet  there  also  exist  some 
ideas  of  quite  different  character  that,  as  pre-em- 
inently the  Divine  idea,  regularly  originate  from 
other  sources.  Those  sources  are  transcendent 


38  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

to  the  senses.  Of  the  great  number  of  ideas  in- 
corporated in  language  are  especially  these  which 
were  inspired  to  men.  They  differ  essentially 
from  ideas  of  the  former  kind  and  from  sensa- 
tions themselves.  For  tfieir  'character  is  not 
merely  subjective,  that  is,  depending  on  the  em- 
bodied mind  who  forms  them,  respectively  his  in- 
constant sensations,  but  of  absolute  validity. 

By  concepts  abstracted  from  perceptions,  and 
ideas  especially  inspired  to  him  by  his  Creator, 
man  was  able  to  give  his  life  a  course,  widely  di- 
vergent from  that  of  animals'.  To  this  new  mode 
of  life  men  have  indeed  only  gradually  arrived, 
and  great  were  their  struggles  that  had  preceded, 
ere  they  overcame  the  darkness  of  their  mental 
infancy.  But  having  once  attained  to  the  light  of 
reason,  the  mature  human  mind  proceeded  fur- 
ther in  fast  progress,  and  vast  are  the  advance- 
ments that  modern  man  has  achieved,  and  that 
distinguish  him  from  his  primitive  ancestors. 
Modern  civilization  and  its  daily  improvements 
veiify  this. 

It  may  be  assumed  that  the  life  of  the  prehis- 
toric troglodyte  will  not  have  much  differed  from 
that  of  higher  brutes.  Like  they  he  squats  with 
his  mate  and  offspring  in  a  cave  that  he  leaves, 


MANKIND  39 

when  hunger  drives  him  to  seek  after  food.  Prey- 
ing on  the  animal-world  which  he  hunts  with 
weapons  coarsely  made  of  sticks  or  stones,  he 
feeds  on  their  meat  without  much  preparation. 

It  is  when  man  learns  to  tame  and  to  domesti- 
cate animals,  that  a  new  epoch  in  his  civilization 
commences.  Care  for  his  cattle  employs  him 
steadily,  and  by  employment  with  regular  work 
human  life  becomes  more  peaceful.  Cruel  sav- 
age-habits are  thus  stripped  off.  But  also  at  this 
stage  man  is  far  from  a  harmonious,  steady  life, 
and  without  fixed  abode  roams  the  nomado,  when 
the  foodstuffs  for  his  herds  are  exhausted.  Wan- 
dering from  place  to  place,  and  parting  at  some 
from  family-members,  he  distributes  the  race  over 
the  earth.  At  these  wanderings  he  visits  differ- 
ent regions,  till  he  chooses  one  that  attracts  him 
by  the  fertility  of  its  soil.  Detecting  grains  there 
among  the  grasses  he  comes  to  learn  the  value  of 
cereals,  begins  to  cultivate  them,  and  tills  the 
ground. 

Thus  human  civilization  passes  from  the  no- 
mado-period  to  the  agricultural  stage.  But  agri- 
cultural work  requires  implements  which,  as  his 
clothes  and  household  goods,  the  farmer  has 
neither  time  nor  skill  enough  himself  to  manufac- 


40  THE     SCIENCE     OP     MINDS 

ture.  Beside,  the  soil  yields  him  more  products 
than  he  and  his  family  need  for  their  support. 
The  selling  of  the  superfluous  remainder  to  peo- 
ple who  demand  it  and  the  finding  of  right  pur- 
chasers also  requires  a  special  knowledge  that  the 
farmer  does  not  possess.  This  and  the  former 
business  become  therefore  occupations  of  special 
tradesmen.  The  latter  for  reasons  of  safety  and 
convenience  locate  their  shops  and  stores  on  suit- 
able places  such  as  around  churches,  mission- 
stations  or  governmental  castles.  There  cities 
are  built  up,  and  handicrafts  as  well  as  commerce 
profitably  carried  on.  When  by  accumulation  of 
capital  under  the  control  of  a  few  individuals 
centralization  of  the  many  smaller  enterprises 
into  a  few  large  concerns,  that  are  in  the  condi- 
tion more  economically  to  supply  the  demands  of 
the  market,  is  effected,  the  industrial  period  of 
human  civilization  is  inaugurated. 

In  cities  life  is  conducted  in  ways  different  from 
those  in  the  country.  The  multitude  of  people 
assembled  there  come  continuously  in  contact. 
Social  and  political  life  thus  fast  and  liberally 
develops,  and  for  regulating  of  the  affairs  result- 
ing from  both,  moreover,  for  adjudicating  of  the 
now  quite  complicated  private  interests  laws  are 


MANKIND  41 

promulgated.  By  division  of  labor  men  specialize 
themselves  to  vocations  for  which  they  possess 
the  greatest  abilities,  and  consequently  commodi- 
ties are  produced  that  also  answer  the  more  re- 
fined tastes. 

But  man  cannot  find  satisfaction 'in  sensual 
pleasures,  he  longs  after  a  higher  goal.  He  seeks 
it  in  art  and  science.  When  studied  deeply 
enough  either  opens  him  the  truth;  the  truth  that, 
though  less  consciously,  and  therefore  stained  by 
errors,  was  recognized  by  the  simple,  human  in- 
tellect long  ago  ;  the  truth  that  human  satisfaction 
and  happiness  follow  from  love,  and  that  with 
infinite  love  men  are  embraced  by  their  Creator. 
Having  thus  come  to  conceive  their  true  origin 
and  final  goal  men  have  at  once  reached  their 
salvation  and  evolution  its  purpose. 


42  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

B.      The  Unembodied  State  of  Finite 
Minds. 

The  part  of  the  Science  of  Minds  comprised  by 
this  topic,  pertains  to  a  subject  entirely  metaphy- 
sical, i.  e.,  beyond  sensual  experience.  Therefore, 
the  deductions  here  to  be  drawn,  will  like  those 
concerning  the  infinite  minds  have  to  be  verified 
by  the  special,  inductive  modes  of  introspection 
and  analogy.  Thus  statements  will  firstly  be 
demonstrated  relating  the  human  soul,  and  from 
this  basis  to  inferences  arrived  with  respect  to 
the  other  finite  minds. 

In  addition  to  the  arguments  already  produced 
as  to  the  existence  of  principal  finite  minds,  re- 
spectively of  the  human  soul,  there  may  yet  be 
furnished  some  further  evidence.  As  commonly 
known  the  human  body  changes  its  whole  sub- 
stance during  life  in  consequence  of  the  metabol- 
ism permanently  proceeding  in  it.  Yet  notwith- 
standing this  fact  there  abide  the  characteristics 
of  the  individual  in  those  changes,  and  especially 
is  this  the  case  with  his  memory-experiences. 
Thus  it  is  evident  that  in  the  organism  an  agent 
must  exist  who  imparts  his  properties  to  the 


THE     UNEMBODIED     STATE    OF     FINITE     MINDS  43 

bodily  constituents.  Possessing  the  attribute  of 
thought  and  capable  of  will-determinations,  he 
controls  the  life-course  of  the  body  as  a  whole,  as 
well  as  its  particular  movements.  Thus  he  func- 
tions as  a  unifying  principle  with  regard  to  the 
mere  mechanical  conglomeration  represented  by 
the  body.  Itself  a  unity  the  ego  is  indissoluble 
and  indestructible.  It  therefore  survives  the  dis- 
solution of  the  body,  it  is  immortal. 

But  the  immortality  of  the  human  soul  is  only 
a  special  case  of  the  universal  law  of  the  conser- 
vation of  life,  respectively  the  impossibility  of  its 
annihilation.  This  general  truth,  as  confirmed  by 
considering  of  both  human  immortality,  and  of 
the  fact  that  man  himself  evolved  from  lower 
creatures,  more  or  less  closely  allied  to  him,  leads 
to  the  conclusion  that  immortality  has  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  all  finite  minds.  Every  finite  spirit  is 
imperishable,  every  soul  has  an  everlasting,  pure- 
spiritual  life. 

That  this  afterlife  of  finite  minds  will  greatly 
differ  from  their  former  embodied  state,  and  that 
their  activities  will  be  other  than  those  during  the 
embodied  life  follows  from  the  different  conditions 
to  which  finite  minds  are  respectively  subject.  In 
the  embodied  state  the  principal,  finite  mind  is 


44  THE     SCIENCE    OF     MINDS 

concatenated  with  inferior  ones,  the  body-con- 
stituents, that  he  directs,  and  by  that  in  turn  his 
power  is  increased.  By  this  a  peculiar  state  is 
brought  about  in  consequence  of  which  the  soul 
can  regularly  become  aware  only  of  such  affec- 
tions by  the  outer  world  as  are  conveyed  into  it 
by  the  body,  and  perceived  by  it  as  sensations. 
But  the  body  possesses  only  a  limited  number  of 
special  senses,  the  avenues  through  which  external 
influences  are  properly  received ;  moreover,  each 
of  these  receivers  is  adapted  to  stimuli  of  a  certain 
kind.  Thus  the  optic  nerve  reacts  normally  only 
on  oscillations,  characterized  by  the  length  of 
waves  and  their  velocity;  and  similar  circum- 
stances can  be  assumed  as  the  presupposition  for 
a  normal  function  of  the  auditory,  olfactory,  gus- 
tatory and  tactual  nerves.  By  these  limitations 
the  soul  is  confined  with  regard  to  the  compass  of 
its  perceiving  the  outer  world,  so  that  the  body 
thus  obscures  its  apprehensiveness. 

On  the  other  side  it  is  the  body  that  furnishes 
to  the  principal  finite  mind  the  necessary  strength 
to  overcome  the  dead  point  of  his  initial  lethargy, 
in  order  to  start  in  a  vigorous  way  the  develop- 
ment of  his  faculties.  Thus  finite  minds  pass  first 
through  a  perceptive  stage  before  reaching  that 


THE     UNEMBODIED     STATE     OF     FINITE     MINDS  45 

of  abstract  thought,  the  proper  function  of  their 
cognitive  faculty.  Thinking  enables  man  to  ar- 
rive to  broader  views  concerning  the  external 
reality.  He  concludes  that  the  latter  does  not 
merely  consist  of  objects  immediately  apprehen- 
sible by  his  senses,  but  that  beside  this  apparent 
sensual  world  there  exist  also  realms  in  that  life 
manifests  itself  in  forms  which,  because  of  their 
subtlety,  remain  hidden  to  the  normal  senses. 
Thus  men  also  come  to  recognize  the  existence  of 
the  pure-spiritual  realm,  their  own  destiny  after 
leaving  the  body. 

But  the  thinking  activity  suffers  in  many  ways 
during  embodiment.  The  process  of  abstraction 
and  the  precise  conjoining  of  concepts  requires 
an  intense  focusing  of  the  individual's  attention 
to  the  object,  and  this  pursuit  is  easily  disturbed 
and  diverted  by  disarrangements  of  the  body  or 
even  by  the  satisfaction  of  its  regular  wants.  The 
turbulent  eddies  and  tedious  struggles  of  the 
ordinary  life  impede  therefore  most  men  from  a 
proper  exercising  their  thinking  faculty,  so  that 
indeed  rarely  the  moments  occur,  when  the  soul 
in  ecstasy  and  enthusiasm,  releasing  the  body's 
obscuring  spectacles,  attains  some  clearer  views, 


46  THE     SCIENCE     OF     MINDS 

and,  as  it  were  by  sudden  flashes,  gains  an  intui- 
tive insight  into  truth. 

What  thus  scarce  and  seldom  is  afforded  during 
embodiment  is  the  natural  privilege  of  the  soul 
in  its  pure-spiritual  life.  Fully  can  it  then  grasp 
truth,  and  comprehend  the  cosmos  that  now  pre- 
sents itself  open  in  its  vast  extent.  Of  course, 
as  the  process  of  comprehending  has  a  double 
aspect,  so  the  cognition  of  that  grand  object  also 
presupposes  a  subject  capable  of  such  cognizing. 
Not  every  mind,  passing  into  the  new  life  will, 
therefore,  equally  participate  of  truth.  Spirits  of 
plants  and  animals  that  while  embodied  did  not 
surpass  the  stage  of  crude  sensations  will  in  their 
dim,  dreamy  state  be  unaware  of  the  marvels  re- 
pletely  displayed  in  the  pure-spiritual  realm.  For 
them  the  change  of  conditions  will  be  of  little 
significance. 

But  quite  otherwise  for  intelligent  minds.  To 
the  exertion  and  gratification  of  their  faculties 
a  field  is  there  offered  of  infinite  range.  With 
most  cheerful  hope  they  may  enter  the  spheres, 
for  happiness  and  bliss  awaits  them.  Human 
souls  will  meet  there  their  deceased,  dear  relatives 
and  friends,  and  be  welcomed  by  them.  The 
bonds  of  love  that  connected  them  closely  on 


THE     UNEMBODIED     STATE     OF     FINITE     MINDS  47 

earth,  and  only  temporarily  were  suspended  by 
death,  will  be  renewed ;  family-life  and  friendship 
rejoiced  as  before.  Then  new  acquaintances  will 
be  made,  and  new  friendships  be  entered.  But  to 
the  pleasures  of  intercourse  with  these  minds  will 
the  appeasing  satisfaction  be  added  of  having  con- 
tact with  beloved  persons,  living  yet  on  earth, 
though  by  them  not  apprehended  under  regular 
conditions.  Parents  will  thus  share  the  welfare 
of  their  children,  patriots  the  prosperity  of  their 
country,  and  philanthropists  the  progress  of  man- 
kind. Without,  therefore,  being  excluded  from 
the  physical  world,  there  will,  moreover,  to  the 
unembodied  mind  also  be  available  of  course  the 
wonderful  advantages  and  sublime  amusements 
of  the  pure-spiritual  life.  Scientists  will  be 
amazed  and  delighted  of  the  abundant  facilities 
for  their  pursuit,  artists  attentively  admire  the 
magnific  monuments  of  the  creation,  and  suscep- 
tible minds  will  with  awe  listen  to  the  incessant 
music  of  the  spheres.  And  all  of  them  free  and 
redeemed  from  the  pains  and  cares  of  the  body, 
finding  themselves  in  a  congenial  environment, 
where  they  neither  to  darkness  nor  tempests  are 
ever  exposed,  will  also  contently  discharge  the 
duties  of  their  new  life.  And  these  will  not  only 


48  THE     SCIENCE    Of     MINDS 

be  duties  concerning  their  own  development,  but 
also  that  of  fellowminds  whom  they  with  benevo- 
lence and  readily  will  assist  in  their  similar  aspi- 
rations. 

Thus  by  self-endeavor  and  co-operation  an  ever 
increasing  number  of  souls  will,  in  infinite  prog- 
ress, be  brought  nearer  to  the  goal  of  their  life, 
to  the  attainment  of  consciousness,  to  conscious 
love,  the  property  which,  in  addition  to  the  in- 
finite capabilities  of  their  faculties,  all  finite  minds 
innately  possess  from  their  origin  and  Creator, 
from  God. 


Index. 


Abstraction,   38,  45 
Activity,  8 
Afterlife,  43,  46-48 
Agricultural    stage,   39 
Analogy,    argument    of,    7 
Animals,   32 
Anorgana,  28 
Annihilation,      impossibil- 
ity of,  11 
Atoms,  24,  26 

B 

Biological   functions,  29 
Body,   12,   15 
Brain,  34,  37 


Characteristics,   8 

Chemical    corpuscles,    23 

Cold,  25 

Concepts,   38 

Consciousness,   48' 

Conservation  of  life,  prin- 
ciple of  the,  43;  of  en- 
ergy, 26 

Contraction,    13 

Creator,   10,   11,  15 

Creatures,    11 

Crystals,  27 


Deduction,  7 


Earth,   22 

Electric    oscillations,   25 
Embodiment,    12,    21 
Energy,       potential,       24; 

kinetic,  25 
Environment,    19 
Evil,  8,    10 
Evolution,  its   purpose,  12, 

41 
Expansion,   13 


Feeling  faculty,  8 
Finite   minds,   11 
Finiteness,   8 
Force,  24 
Freedom,  9 

G 

God,   10 

Goodness,  8,  10 
Gravitation,    force    of,    24 

H 

Habits,   16 

Happiness,  41 

Heat,  25 

Heredity,   principle    of,    16 

I 

Ideas,  37 
Immortality,  43 
Individual,    nature    of,   3 


INDEX 


Individuality,  8,  9 
Induction,   7 
Industrial   period,  40 
Infinite  minds,   10 
Infinity,  8,   11 
Inspiration,  42,  46 
Instincts,  35 
Introspection,    7 


Light,  25 

Love,  9,  36,  41,  48 

M 

Magnetism,  25 

Mankind,  36 

Matter,  23,  25 

Minds,       definition        and 

classification    of,    8 
Miracles,    18 
Molecules,  25 
Motion,  14,  24 
Muscles,  33,  34 

N 

Nature,   uniformity    of,    17 
Natural   laws,   16 
Nerve-system,   33 
Nomads,   39 
Nucleus,  21,  27,  29 


Organs,  19,  31,  33 
Organic  matter,  28 
Organisms,  29 


Pains,  34 

Perceptions,  35,  37 
Periodic   law,   23 
Pineal  gland,  34 
Plants,  29 
Pleasures,   34 
Potentialities,     infinite     of 

finite  minds,   11 
Power,  9 
Property,  8 
Protoplasm,  30 
Providence   of   God,  32 


Reality,  7 
Reason,  38 
Reembodiment,   17 


Satan,   10 

Science      of      minds,      its 

scope,      definition      and 

methods,   7 
Sensations,  25,  44 
Souls,  8 
Sound,  25 
Space,   14,  24 
Spirits,  definition   of,  8 
Spontaneity        of        finite 

minds,   13 
Stars,  21 
Sun,  22 


INDEX 


Thinking   faculty,  8 
Time,   14,  24 
Troglodyte,   38 

U 

Unembodied  state  of  finite 
minds,  42 


Universal,  nature  of,  3 
Universe,  17,  19 


Varieties,  20,  31,  33 

W 

Weight,  23 
Will,  9 


YR 

U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


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